empty

 I saw these empty carts early one morning at Walmart.  I thought immediately of how they were going to be used later in the day.  They were resting now but would soon be bustling around.  I thought about how crazy it gets around dinner time and at the holidays.  Empty carts at Walmart are a harbinger of busy times ahead.

They I thought of the empty pews at so many churches...  Signs that we used to have more people in worship than we have now.  Signs that we built buildings to accommodate the crowd that used to be.

I find it sad that empty shopping carts speak of hope, but empty pews speak of decline.  What if we started looking at empty pews differently?  What if we began to believe that the pews can be full again?  What if we began to pray for those who might come and sit in them?  What if we began to graciously look for those whom we could invite to come to church with us?

Let's Pray, "Dear  Lord, may the empty pews be full again, may the power of your message reach into the community, may we see our churches as places of hope.  Amen" 

If Walmart can do it, so can we.  God is not done with our churches.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com




Travel with Pastor Jeff

Italy's Historic and Religious Sites
November 7-16, 2017
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/it17-brinkman-17768#eotours


Holy Land via Jordan
March 5-14 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours


Wesley's Ireland
October 8-17, 2018
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours